Page 47 of Heart of the Villain

A great ally, but not someone Marlena would give her full trust to.

“Some recruitment today, huh?” Marlena asked, making small talk. She had to know what he’d heard.

Thankfully, he didn’t take long to break.

“Yeah.” Khort stopped, turning to Marlena, who matched his abruptness. “Why were you in there talking to them?”

Fraus, Fortis, and Ardor weren’t to be trusted. That was what they’d all been taught growing up. Watch your backs. Don’t get too close to anyone you meet.

Khort eyed her suspiciously.

Marlena’s eyebrows met in the middle, and she molded herself into the person she needed to be in this moment. “Oh.” She looked behind her, waving her hand in the direction of the room she’d exited. “That? We were just talking about the guards coming to Amora with me and Ivelle.”

Khort studied her as if he was trying to catch her in a lie, but he wouldn’t see any cracks. Marlena would never crack again. “So why were Zetta and Dacian in there then?”

Marlena didn’t have to think about the lie too deeply. “Because I barged in on them. I wanted to make sure I was going home with the guards I requested. Now that the news of my induction has been announced and people know Ivelle is with me, I wouldn’t want anyone to lash out. With the uprisings I don’t want anyone thinking this is a good moment to attack, to come after us when we’re alone.”

People had lashed out during the transfer of power before. It didn’t happen often, but it did happen. Some people had nothing to lose.

She watched Khort rest and take in a deep breath. He believed her. “You need to be careful with them, Marlena. You can’t just insert yourself anywhere. These people, those people, aren’t interested in helping you. If anything, they’re probably more interested in taking advantage of a young new leader.”

“I can handle them.” She gave him a soft smile, hiding the madness starting to build behind her icy eyes.

He pulled her into a quick hug, sending Marlena into fight or flight mode. “Stop being fucking weird. Hug me back.” His laugh rumbled against her.

She wrapped her arms around him quickly, giving his back a few awkward pats. Marlena forced him to let her go as she brushed through the ends of her hair that had been squished between their bodies. “You’re messing my hair up.” Marlena swatted at him, taking a step back so she was no longer within his reach.

He chuckled. “See you tomorrow?”

They were all supposed to get together for early morning training with Bridger before leaving Fortis. “Yeah, tomorrow.”

Marlena watched him walk away, dropping her mask when he was out of sight. Her shoulders rolled back, and that playful, sweet demeanor fell.

I’m going to need to keep an eye on him.

Ivelle opened the door after Marlena’s first knock. She stepped to the side immediately, letting her in.

“What happened?” she asked, closing the door and locking it.

Marlena met her eyes with a serious expression. “I have your first task.”

Ivelle smiled, her eyes lighting up. Eager to serve.

“I need you to distract Khort. He has too much free time on his hands. He doesn’t need to be left wandering the halls after meetings when most of the time, I have to sneak away after them to chat with our allies.” Marlena sat on the end of Ivelle’s bed.

Ivelle gave her a fake innocent smirk. “And how would you like me to distract him?”

Marlena snickered, genuinely finding the excitement in Ivelle’s tone amusing. “However you’d like.” She winked. “I’ve heard shifters are animals in bed.”

Ivelle rubbed her hands together, licking her lips. “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

But Khort is your friend.

Recovered from the notebook

of Marlena Caelum:

Twenty-One Years Old